GLA to focus on building mix to help solve housing crisis
London deputy mayor for housing James Murray has said the Greater London Authority will focus on supporting mid-market housing, build to rent, and affordable housing to boost housing supply.
Murray said that the overarching message from the mayor’s office is that different models, tenures and levels of affordability are needed, rather than a preference for one particular product.
He said housing numbers had been held up too much by expensive development.
London deputy mayor for housing James Murray has said the Greater London Authority will focus on supporting mid-market housing, build to rent, and affordable housing to boost housing supply.
Murray said that the overarching message from the mayor’s office is that different models, tenures and levels of affordability are needed, rather than a preference for one particular product.
He said housing numbers had been held up too much by expensive development.
“We need to boost housing supply in a sustainable way,” he added.
Jennet Siebrits, head of residential research at CBRE, said 60% of people want property that costs £500 per sq ft, but only 10% of the stock built caters for this market.
“Arguably this means only about 5% of people demanding a property at this price point have one to buy,” she said.
Sue Forster of Lambeth Council said that the borough is focusing on affordable homes.
“What’s clear is in Lambeth the housing market is not accessible to those on average incomes,” she said.
However, she added that there needed to be thinking around place-making, not just housebuilding, adding: “It’s really important we don’t lose sight of well-planned places, and that doesn’t just mean homes.”
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